Teens Claim Top Prizes in 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology

The year's highest science honor for high school students was awarded today to biochemistry research on cancer stem cells and an innovative use of gaming technology in the area of leg injuries and prosthetics in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, America's premier science research competition for high school students. Administered by the College Board, the Siemens Competition is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The thirteenth annual awards were presented this morning at The George Washington University, host of the 2011 Siemens Competition National Finals. Angela Zhang, a senior at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, won the $100,000 Grand Prize in the Individual category for using nanotechnology to eradicate cancer stem cells. Ziyuan Liu and Cassee Cain, seniors at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will share the $100,000 Grand Prize in the Team category for using new gaming technology to analyze human walking patterns, work that could ultimately be used in prosthesis design for amputees.